I am using VB.NET on VS.NEt Pro to try and write an
app for a PDA running Pocket PC. I want to be able to
capture data in the field (using PDA) and then bring
the data back to the office for transfer to PC.

Is it best to write something that uses a Pocket Access
database that can then be sync'd with a PC ?

Or is it best to capture data on the PDA and store it on the PDA as an XML file which can then be transferred?

Also - anybody know of books/examples where I can find example
code of writing apps for PDAs that use Pocket PC databases?

Any and all help greatly appreciated
Charlie (Canterbury, Kent, UK)

Hi Charlie,

I am currently designing an application that does a similar thing. Employees must be able to input data on the streets which can then be synchronized to a network using GPRS or WLAN (whatever is available).

We are using SQLServerCE to store the data at the client while they are working. A background process checks for a network connection every now and then and uploads the data to the network. Using SQLServerCE works pretty well for us; it allows us to store local data and to retrieve Business Logic data that is stored in another local CE database. You can download a free version of SqlServer CE from the Microsoft site. I believe you need a Client Access License only when you connect to another SQL Server, not when using it just on the PDA

Books you may find interesting:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

The second book hasn't been released yet, but it looks promising.

Websites:
http://www.devbuzz.com/content/

Maybe we should get in touch with each other by e-mail. I am sure we're both going to run into issues with the Compact Framework and maybe we can help each other out.

Cheers,

Imar


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Imar Spaanjaars
Everyone is unique, except for me.

I know this post is very old, but would you approach your project the same way given the newest technology?

Phil Ponce